Standard foam block size and quantity calculation for building a house. Which foam blocks are best for building a house? What size foam blocks are best to build a house from?

If you have already decided to build a house from foam blocks, then it’s probably time to think about what size of products you should choose? It will also be relevant to raise the question of choosing the type of material depending on the scope of its application and some other factors.

In this article we will look for answers to the above questions and figure out what sizes of foam blocks for building a house there are and which ones should be preferred. We will also consider other classifications that will help us thoroughly familiarize ourselves with the foam block.

How does foam block stand out among other wall materials?

Foam block is an extremely popular material among developers. You will probably ask, why is it so remarkable? Let's figure it out.

The main feature of the foam block is the presence of pores in its structure, which arise at the stage of the production process as a result of introducing a porogen into the solution. As a rule, on modern factories prefer to use protein foaming agents.

This structure predetermined a certain set of material characteristics that distinguish it from other block products.

They boil down to the following:

The products have excellent thermal efficiency indicators, allowing the foam block to be used even as a heat-insulating material. – one of the lowest among its main competitors, which, of course, is an undoubted advantage.

is also quite good and can range from 300 to 1200 and even 1600 kg/m3.
Strength grades change together with the density indicator and allow the use of a certain type of material in the construction of load-bearing structures.

from a mixture of cement, water, sand, foaming agent and special additives. As you can see, the material does not contain any components that can cause harm. And this is another advantage.

Good frost resistance values also add a plus to the piggy bank positive qualities foam block. It does not occupy the first positions in this regard, but it stands firmly in the middle.

, then the first one, unlike it, is easy to saw, grind and cut. That is, the foam block is easy to handle.

Large dimensions, which we will talk about in more detail later, significantly increase the chances of completing construction in the shortest possible time.

Light weight will reduce the load on the base. In some cases, it is even possible to build a lightweight type of foundation. Of course, the building should not be large and heavy; finishing materials should also be light in weight.

Foam concrete does not support combustion. Moreover, its heat resistance is also excellent. He may be under the influence for a certain period of time high temperature.

The material is characterized by biological stability. Fungus and mold do not form on the block.

In the case of technologically correct use of material during the construction of a building, the building will be quite earthquake-resistant.
If you want to try yourself as a manufacturer, you can easily make the products yourself. The construction price, in this case, will be significantly reduced.

As you have probably noticed, all of the above characteristics indicate the advantages of foam blocks.

However, in addition to strengths, the material also has weaknesses and they are also worth paying attention to:

The cellular structure of products is not only an advantage, but at the same time a disadvantage. The thing is that the foam block is relatively hygroscopic, its ability to absorb moisture is great. As a percentage, this figure is 10-15%. And despite the closed pore structure, the material is still unprotected from harmful effects.

Note! That is why the developer will have to provide such protection by proper finishing finished walls. What happens if this condition is not met? The answer is simple: the block will gradually simply collapse and become unusable.

Foam concrete is a fragile material. Mechanical impact should be avoided. This applies not only construction work, but also transportation.
Shrinkage is another minus. After the walls are erected, the latter may crack. This is not always, of course, due to shrinkage, but this is the most common reason.
The peculiarity of the material requires the use of special fasteners.
Reduced resistance to crumbling complicates the process of carrying out some work, including attaching particularly heavy objects to walls. These actions will have to be planned in advance, and the fastening points will have to be strengthened.

In general, we can say that foam block no longer has serious disadvantages.

Choosing a foam block by size and type: understanding the classifications

Since we have the opportunity to analyze all the pros and cons, let's proceed directly to the selection of products. So which foam blocks are best for building a house?

Standard product dimensions: which size is better to give preference and why

Let's look at the table.

Table 1. What foam blocks are used to build a house: standard product dimensions:

Purpose of the block	Standard sizes
	The length of the products is 60 or 62.5 cm, the width is 30, 40 or 50 cm, and the height is 20, 25 or 30 cm.
	Its length is 60 or 32.5 cm, width is 25 cm, and thickness is 8, 9, 10, 12 or 15 cm.
	The dimensions of these products are shown in the photo.

As you can see, the range of sizes is quite large. Which foam block is better for building a house? The choice of optimal dimensions depends on certain factors.

The main ones are:

First of all, it is worth mentioning the project itself, in accordance with which the building is being erected. As a rule, in estimate documentation the products required for construction and their dimensions are indicated.
When choosing the dimensions of products, you should also pay attention to the value of the recommended wall thickness, which you can calculate yourself.
Do not forget about the purpose of the block: partitioning products certainly should not be purchased for the purpose of constructing load-bearing walls.

Since we're talking about wall thickness, let's do an example calculation.

The instructions are as follows:

To carry out calculations, we need to know the values of some coefficients: heat transfer resistance, thermal conductivity, block density, as well as the thermal efficiency of the desired insulation.
As for the heat transfer resistance coefficient, it is different for each region and is indicated in SNiP.
To simplify the problem, we will take the average value to be about 3.3.
Let's say we use a block with a density of D700, its thermal conductivity will be about 0.21 W*mS.
The insulation, suppose, will have a thermal conductivity coefficient equal to 0.02 W*mS.
Now we subtract the thermal conductivity coefficient of the insulation from the heat transfer resistance coefficient: 3.3-0.02 = 3.28.
We multiply the obtained value with the thermal efficiency value of the block: 3.28 * 0.21 = 0.68 cm.
That is, when using a high-density block, the wall thickness should be greater. As an alternative, the building can be insulated more intensively. In this case, you can achieve a value of 40-50 cm.

As a rule, when using a block with a density of D500, the recommended wall thickness does not exceed 40 cm. This means that you can purchase a product measuring 60*40*25 or 30 cm.

Types of foam blocks depending on purpose and application

We figured out the sizes a little. However, we still have to find out the purpose and scope of application of the products, because without this knowledge we can easily make a mistake by giving preference to blocks that are not suitable for future construction.

That is, in order to fully figure out how to choose foam blocks for building a house, it is necessary to consider the existing classifications.

First of all, you need to rely on what exactly you need the block for:

Have you decided to insulate the structure? You definitely need to pay attention to products called thermal insulation. They are characterized by a high ability to retain heat, but their density is very low. Simply put, nothing can be built from them, but they can be used for insulation.

Are you planning to build a building three floors high? Or maybe your house will be two-story, but in heavy brick cladding, durable floor slabs and an attic? In this case it is worth using structural products. They are really durable, but they will have to be insulated intensively in order to maintain the thermal efficiency of the future structure and save on heating costs.

But if the house is low-rise, then it is quite possible to purchase such popular products, which are called structural and thermal insulation. Both their density and thermal conductivity are in almost ideal combination.

Perhaps many people are wondering what brand of foam block can be used for building a house?

You don't have to think too much here. The thing is that according to GOST, each indicator of a density brand corresponds to a strength value. That is, if it is a block with a density of 500 kg/m3, then, as a rule, it will have a strength grade equal to B3.5.

On a note! Of course, not all manufacturers will have exactly the same compliance. The most important thing for them is to comply with GOST requirements. That is, the values should not be less than those indicated, but more - quite. A block with the same brand of density, but purchased from different manufacturers, may have a different brand of strength. Pay attention to these indicators before purchasing products.

What influences this ratio? First of all, the composition and method of hardening.

Let's analyze the following information:

At the final stage of production, the blocks can be autoclaved. In this case, they reach brand strength within 12–14 hours. Exposure to high temperature and pressure affects the strength characteristics of future products.

Products that are not subjected to such treatment harden in natural conditions. They are more fragile. The combination of thermal conductivity, strength and density values are not so effective.

The conclusion follows: non-autoclave products, as a rule, differ worst quality regarding technical specifications. Even GOST requirements for them are not so high. Therefore, it is worth taking this fact into account when purchasing.

Not only generally accepted cement can act as the main binder. It can be replaced with: mixed binder, ash, slag, lime. The same should be said about the silica component, on which the release humidity, the thermal efficiency of the material, and the strength and density we are discussing depend.

We didn’t find out only one question: what brand of foam block is the minimum for building a house?

When constructing a one-story structure, a grade equal to B3.5 will be sufficient. It is the most common. But if you are building a building of greater height or future design will be subject to serious load, you will need a block with a strength of B5 and higher.

The video in this article: “Foam blocks: which ones are best for building a house” will help you make right choice.

Possible deviations from linear dimensions

Foam block products, like any other, may differ from each other depending on the permissible deviations. There is even a classification based on them. The greater the deviation, the worse the block geometry.

GOST establishes acceptable values for products of each accuracy category. There are 3 of them in total. The photo shows these most permissible values of deviations from dimensions.

Blocks of the first category are laid on glue. The layer is made as thin as possible, which significantly reduces cold bridges and increases the thermal efficiency of the building.
The second category can be installed either with glue or with mortar. However, glue consumption can be significant.
The third category is not at all recommended for use during construction residential buildings. However, they are perfect for constructing an outbuilding in the form of a garage or shed.

How to correctly calculate the required amount of material

The required amount of material is quite simple to calculate. The procedure is as follows:

Find out the size of the product. Let's say this is a block with dimensions of 600*500*300.
The size of our future building is 12*15 meters. The height of the masonry is 3 meters.
We calculate the perimeter and area of the house: 12*2-15*2=54 meters; 54*3=162 m2.
Subtract the area of the door and window openings. Let's assume it is 10m2. 162-10=152 m2.
Product area=0.6*0.5=0.3 m2.
152/0.3=506.6 pieces of products must be purchased.
Let's find out the cubic capacity of one foam block: 0.6 * 0.5 * 0.30.09 m3.
1/0.09=11.1 product in one cube.
We will need 506.6/11.1 = 45.6 cubic meters of products.

In addition to self-calculation, you can use online calculators, applications, or contact the appropriate organization.

Finally

Which foam blocks are best for building a house? This depends on many factors, including: the purpose of the product, its properties, the region of construction and much more. Having made the right choice, you will have a great chance to build a durable, warm and durable home.

The dimensions of the foam block determine not only the heat resistance of the walls. The dimensions of the foam concrete blocks determine the parameters of the foundation grillage, and even the speed of construction of the structure itself. Therefore, any builder, as well as the customer of construction work, should know the standard block size.

Foam block size - generally accepted standard

This block is cut from hardened foam concrete, so its size can be any. However, blocks that are too large are unprofitable due to heavy weight, reducing the speed of construction, and the need for arrangement expensive foundations with grillages of appropriate sizes. Therefore, the standard determining the size of the foam block insists on the following canonical dimensions:

20x40x60 centimeters for ;
30x20x60 centimeters for load-bearing internal walls;
10×30×60 centimeters for interior partitions without load.

Wherein full list The standard sizes of blocks in GOST also provide for more exotic options: from 9x25x60 to 20x20x40 centimeters. With that pliability to machining, which foam concrete demonstrates, the dimensions of a block made of this material can really be any. However many years of experience, multiplied by the desire to save money and speed up construction, forces one to choose the canonical dimensions. Let's look at the reasons for their attractiveness.

Standard size foam block for load-bearing walls is 20×40×60 or 30×20×60 centimeters. Why do these dimensions suit everyone? Yes, because a larger block will be more difficult to bring to the wall, and a smaller version does not have the required heat resistance. The optimal thickness from the point of view of building owners who are forced to pay heating bills is 30-40 centimeters for a foam block wall. In this case, masonry made of this material corresponds to a heat resistance of 1.5-1.7 meters in thickness.

Load-bearing walls made of foam blocks

In such a house you can support comfortable temperature without paying space energy bills. Moreover, the width of the grillage beam or strip 30-40 centimeters thick will be no more than 45-60 cm, which allows saving at the stage of constructing the foundation for the house. In addition, a standard “load-bearing” block weighs no more than 40-50 kilograms. And this is if foam concrete of maximum strength was used for its production - D1000 or D1100. Even multi-story structures can be built from such material.

For low-rise buildings, another brand of foam concrete is used - D600 or D900, which reduces the weight to a comfortable 25-35 kilograms. Such blocks can be unloaded and brought to the laying site using only the muscular strength of 1-2 people. For larger options, you will have to call special equipment.

The partitions are not under load and high heat resistance is not required from them, so the size of the foam concrete block here can be reduced to 10 × 30 × 60 centimeters. Why can't I use smaller blocks? Because in this case both the strength of the partitions and the usable area of the home will suffer. Reducing the width in this case is dangerous, since it is very difficult to lay a flat wall from 5- or 8-centimeter blocks. In addition, they may not withstand the weight of interior decor. Yes, it would be scary to even lean against such a partition.

Internal partition made of foam blocks

An internal unloaded wall deeper than 10 centimeters will be unprofitable for economic reasons. The 10-centimeter version has a sufficient margin of safety to maintain interior decor, it has acceptable sound insulation characteristics and sufficient structural rigidity. Adding depth in this case only reduces usable area at home without offering any benefits in return.

In addition, a 10-centimeter block for partitions is made from foam concrete grades D400 or D500, so its weight does not exceed 10-20 kilograms. Such a mass can be held by almost any basement or interfloor ceilings. Well, if you use larger options, then you will have to lay stronger (and more expensive) beams and joists under them.

How to calculate the amount of material, knowing the dimensions of 1 block?

The standard size of the foam block offers builders and customers another advantage - based on the exact length, width and height of the material, you can easily calculate the number of blocks needed to complete the construction of the house.

For this calculation you will have to do the following:

Calculate the perimeter of the house - add up all its sides. The result is best recorded in centimeters.
Decide on the height of the walls. The result is stored in centimeters.
Divide the perimeter by the length of a standard block - 60 centimeters. The result is the number of elements in one row of masonry.
Divide the height of the walls by the height or width of the block (depending on the orientation of the element in the masonry). That is, 20 or 30 or 40 centimeters. The result is the number of rows of masonry.
We multiply the number of rows by the number of blocks in the first row of the masonry and get the desired result.

Of course, the house will have doors and windows, so the number of blocks can be reduced by dividing the total area of the openings by the area of the masonry element. But after this, it is worth adding 5-10 percent to the resulting number, forming a reserve for fighting and pruning. The recommended size of a foam concrete block for partitions is 10 × 30 × 60 centimeters, so the number of elements in such a masonry is determined by dividing the length interior wall by 60, and the height by 30 centimeters. The result obtained is multiplied and increased by 5-10%.

To transport such building materials you need a truck. Self-pickup on a trailer is far from the best option. Trying to save money on shipping will lead to serious expenses on gasoline - you won’t be able to carry much in a trailer. Buy only cut building materials. This is when elements are cut out of a mass of foam concrete with a string. The molding material does not have such dimensional accuracy; in addition, the edges of such a block will be too fragile.

If the heat resistance of walls is important to you, pay attention to D600 foam concrete. Ultra-strong foam blocks made from D1100 are purchased only in rare cases, because their heat resistance is two times lower than that of the 600th grade. And in terms of strength characteristics, the D600 will satisfy any designer of low-rise buildings. Every three rows you will have to lay a reinforcing belt based on a reinforcing rod. When buying a foam block, also take a reinforcing insert, ordering reinforcement with a meter of 3-4-5 perimeters of the house. Correct color foam block - grayish. Not white, and in no case yellow, but grayish. This indicates the correct concentration of cement and sand in the foam concrete.

Foam concrete D600

Don't buy foam blocks in early spring. Perhaps at this time they will be sold cheaper, but you will most likely be offered last year's batch, which was collecting dust and moisture in a warehouse or under open air. This material loses some of its strength characteristics. After completion of construction, proceed immediately to finishing the wall with plaster (inside) or sand-cement mixture (outside). A block without finishing will lose some of its strength characteristics in a couple of autumn or spring months. If you didn’t have time to finish the construction, pack the building materials in plastic film in dry weather. This will preserve quality building material.

People first started talking about foam blocks back in the 19th century, when it was formed new material having a porous structure. Then, due to the high cost of components and imperfect technology, the new form of concrete did not become widespread. They returned to it in the mid-20th century, and since then foam concrete has been confidently competing with traditional wall materials for the construction of private houses.
Let's consider the characteristics, properties and dimensions of foam concrete blocks.

Foam concrete - what is it?

Foam concrete - belongs to the light category cellular concrete, because has low density (300-800 kg/m3). Special additives foam concrete during the manufacturing process and closed pores (air bubbles) are formed in its structure. Thanks to this, foam blocks have high thermal insulation properties and low volumetric weight with sufficient mechanical strength.

Scope of application of foam concrete

construction of walls. Foam blocks with high density have proven themselves in the construction of load-bearing walls of private houses;

installation of partitions and non-load-bearing walls;

insulation and sound insulation of walls, floors and roofs.

Manufacturers are trying to improve the properties of foam blocks and eliminate their shortcomings. Various additives make it possible to obtain a material with new properties. New products on the foam concrete market are:

polystyrene concrete. A special feature of this material is the addition of foam chips during production;

expanded clay concrete. Expanded clay granules play the role of filler;

wood concrete (wood concrete). Additional properties are imparted to the material by wood shavings (chips);

fiber foam concrete. Reinforcement of foam concrete is carried out using fiberglass - fiber (fiber foam block is 5 times stronger than a regular foam block).

foam concrete crumbs (500 rubles/0.7 cubic meters) Used as bulk insulation under the floor.

Foam concrete blocks - GOST

Foam blocks are regulated by state standards:

GOST 25485-89 “Cellular concrete”

GOST 5242-76 “Heat-insulating products made of cellular concrete”

GOST 21520-89 “small cellular concrete wall blocks”, for thermal insulating foam concrete products with a density of at least 400 kg/m3.

Foam concrete production technology

The technology for manufacturing foam concrete is varied; three methods are known:

traditional. According to classical way Foam from a foam generator is supplied to the finished cement mortar. Next, the mixture is stirred. Foam concrete made using this technology is the most reliable;

dry mineralization method. This method involves feeding foam into a dry mixture of components. Then a small amount of water is added to the composition. In this way, blocks are prepared in continuous production;

barotechnology method. Here the foaming agent is mixed with water and only then the components are supplied to them. Since this method requires creating overpressure, special pressure chambers are used.

Regardless of the technology, foam concrete is made in separate blocks, which ensures a closed pore structure in each foam block. This is the main difference between foam concrete and aerated concrete.

Foam block manufacturers

Foam concrete blocks are a building wall material that is in demand on the market and inexpensive to manufacture, so each region has its own best manufacturers.

Among users good feedback about manufacturing plants:

LLC "Ural Insulation Plant"
Saransk Foam Concrete Products Plant
LLC "Penobeton-Pikalev", LLC "Alviko"

Technical characteristics of foam concrete

Which foam block is better to choose for building a house?

The right choice should be based on technical specifications and properties.

1. Density of foam concrete (volumetric mass)

By density indicator foam concrete blocks divided (classification) into 4 brands:

Structural porous blocks – D1300-1600. Density is 1,300-1,600 kg/m3. This type of foam concrete is not mass-produced, therefore its characteristics are not regulated by GOST. Buildings with no restrictions on the number of storeys can be erected from blocks of this density;

Structural foam blocks – D900-1200, have a density from 900 to 1,200 kg/m3, weight 39-47 kg, standard size. A very durable block with good compression resistance, but requires additional insulation. Multi-storey construction is allowed.

Structural thermal insulation blocks – D600-800, with a density of 600-800 kg/m3, weight 23-35 kg, standard size. The most balanced type of foam blocks - they have sufficient strength for the construction of load-bearing walls and have optimal level thermal insulation. They are actively used in low-rise private construction.

Thermal insulation blocks – D300-D500, foam concrete density 300-500 kg/m3, weight 11-19 kg, standard size. Due to the large number of pores in the structure of the block and, accordingly, high air saturation, they have low thermal conductivity. But they have low strength, therefore, they are used only as a heat-insulating layer.

Regardless of density, all foam blocks are the same size.

Density is determined by the specific gravity of the material (cement, sand, foaming agent, hardener) in the total batch and determines the weight of 1 cubic meter of foam concrete.

The composition of components for grades D 600 and D 800, which are most popular in private construction, is given in the table.

Technical characteristics of foam blocks (density, strength class and compressive strength) are presented in the table

View	Density of foam concrete	Compressive strength class	Compressive strength kg/cm2
Thermal insulating foam block	D300	V 0.5	unknown
	D400	B0.75	9,0
	D500	IN 1	13,0
	D600	B2.5	16,0
	D700	B3.5	24,0
	D800	AT 5	27,0
Structural foam block	D900		35,0
	D1000	B7.5	50,0
	D1100	AT 10	64,0
	D1200	B12.5	90,0

Technical characteristics of foam concrete blocks (frost resistance, thermal conductivity, vapor permeability)

Type of foam concrete	Brand	Frost resistance	Thermal conductivity, W/(m °C)	Vapor permeability coefficient, (Kgm hourPa)
Thermal insulating foam block	D300		0,08	0,26
	D400	Not standardized	0,1	0,23
	D500	Not standardized	0,12	0,2
Structural thermal insulation foam block	D600	From F15 to F35	0,14	0,17
	D700	From F15 to F50	0,18	0,15
	D800	From F15 to F50	0,21	0,14
Structural foam block	D900		0,24	0,12
	D1000	From F15 to F75	0,29	0,11
	D1100		0,34	0,1
	D1200		0,38	0,1

Technical characteristics of foam concrete blocks (humidity, strength development period and weight of 1 cubic meter)

Type of foam concrete	Density	Weight, 1m3, kg	Humidity of foam concrete,% by weight, no more	Time to achieve the required strength, days
Thermal insulating foam block	D300	300	25	7-28
	D400	400
	D500	500
Structural thermal insulation foam block	D600	600
	D700	700
	D800	800
Structural foam block	D900	900
	D1000	1000
	D1100	1100
	D1200	1200

You need to know that as humidity increases, the thermal conductivity increases, and accordingly, the ability of the foam block to retain heat decreases.

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2. Type of foam block

Foam concrete, unlike aerated concrete, is presented in a much smaller variety of form factors (standard size). Among those available:

Standard foam block (classic, simple)

Foam blocks rectangular shape, are divided into wall and partition. Differ in size ( different widths, and the length and height are usually the same).

Narrow panels for installing interior partitions.

U-foam blocks (tray, U or U-shaped blocks)

Used for making armored belts, permanent formwork for the manufacture of door and window lintels, as well as for supports under wooden beams ceilings

Technical characteristics, sizes and prices of U-foam blocks in the table

Lego foam block

Foam block in the form of a Lego cube is a new product on the market, blocks with grooves (groove-ridge system, interlocking brick). The use of tongue-and-groove blocks makes it possible to ensure high-quality adhesion of two adjacent and underlying foam blocks. Moreover, the manufacturer recommends laying without mortar, i.e. to dry. Lego blocks have internal vertical voids to reinforce the masonry. As a result of reinforcement, monolithic columns are formed inside the walls, which will provide load-bearing capacity.

The technology is new and there are no standards yet, so the sizes of Lego foam blocks are different manufacturers may vary. As a rule, dimensions are 500x250x250 mm, diameter internal hole 100 mm. Density D600.

3. Foam block dimensions (standard)

Good foam concrete blocks should have correct form and exact dimensions.

Advice. To check the geometry of the foam block, you need to place two blocks on top of each other and see how tightly and accurately they match. In this case, you need to turn the blocks over and compare the fit of other surfaces.

The dimensions of foam blocks for building a house are regulated by GOST 25485-89. Tolerance+/- 1 mm.

Standard dimensions of foam concrete blocks:

Dimensions of foam blocks for walls (external, load-bearing): 200x300x600 mm (wall blocks).

Dimensions of foam blocks for partitions (interior, internal): 100x300x600 mm (partition blocks).

4. Foam block weight

The weight of a standard size foam concrete block is presented in the table

Foam blocks D600 – weight (one block and cubic meter) and dimensions

Foam blocks are shipped on pallets (regular and euro), which are classified as non-returnable containers. Their number on a pallet (pallet) and how many pieces per cube are indicated in the table

Advice. Unloading foam blocks must be very careful, otherwise the edges may be damaged (due to porosity, cracks and chips may form).

5. Checking the foam block - video

6. Foam block color

The foam concrete block has a homogeneous grey colour over the entire surface, with a light or dark shade.

7. Type of foam concrete

The first grade is high-quality foam blocks with good geometry, fully comply with GOST, the second grade may have minor chips at the corners and along the surface.

8. Documents (certificate for foam block)

The quality of the foam block is confirmed by certificates (compliance, sanitary, fire, fire resistance tests).

9. Packaging of foam blocks

Foam concrete blocks are sold stacked on pallets and packed with film, the purpose of which is to protect the foam concrete from moisture. Even in a place protected from precipitation, foam concrete can “pull” moisture from the ground or from the air. The lack of packaging is a reason to think about the feasibility of the purchase.

10. Cost of foam block

Approximate prices for foam concrete blocks from market leaders are given in the table

In conclusion, it can be noted that foam concrete is a worthy material for building a house from foam blocks. And knowledge of its basic parameters will allow you to choose a material that is suitable for a specific region of use.

IN modern world building a house or other real estate is an expensive process that not everyone can do. Today, in order to at least slightly reduce costs, foam blocks are used. This building material is becoming increasingly popular and in demand due to a number of its advantages.

Advantages and features of building materials

Foam blocks have a number of advantages:

Low price compared to other building materials used in construction. This makes it economical.
Can be used for construction residential buildings, agricultural facilities and other types of buildings. There is only one nuance that should be taken into account - the height limitation. It should be no more than 12 meters.
Has good thermal insulation and soundproofing properties. It will keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer.
High quality.
Resistant to any weather conditions: rain, snow, frost or burning sun. Do not dry out, do not crack and do not absorb moisture. Therefore, cases of burning and rotting are excluded.
Long service life.

The dimensions of the foam block differ significantly from the brick. They are much more. Thanks to this, you can save time and labor spent on constructing a building. And the porous structure makes it possible to easily perform any work in the house, for example, drill a hole. This also allows you to maintain a comfortable microclimate in the house. It is equated to what is created in wooden buildings.

Production stages

This building material is made according to the following scheme:

Mix water and the foam concentrate used using appropriate equipment.
Then everything is placed in a concrete mixing machine and cement and sand are added, which dissolve in water.
Next, foam is added. Mix everything for five minutes until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.
Pour the resulting mixture into molds.
Leave to harden.
Remove from the molds and leave for a day so that the structure of the foam block is fixed.

What types of foam concrete blocks are there?

Foam blocks have a number of features and differences that should be taken into account when choosing them. So, the main ones are class and strength. They directly depend on density. Its indicator varies within different limits, and you can choose one for each building. The size of the foam block also matters.

There are several types of foam blocks, differing in density, depending on their purpose:

for laying internal walls;
for external and load-bearing walls;
for thermal insulation.

The fact that the dimensions of the foam block are several times higher than those of standard bricks makes its use even more profitable. Thus, not only the time required for construction is reduced, but also the appearance walls: minimum seams, joints. Less mortar will be required to hold it together.

Foam block dimensions

Manufacturers suggest choosing foam block sizes based on the type of building being built or the owner’s preferences. To do this, perform advance paynemt. In this case, the load and characteristics of the building material are taken into account. This will allow you to make the right choice.

The main factors that influence it are width, length and thickness. The latter is most important when creating thermal insulation properties.

More recently, the size of the foam block (standard) was 200 x 200 x 400 mm. Thus, it was as close as possible to the usual sand-lime brick. But over time, manufacturers offered different size foam block. The standard subsequently lost ground. Now they lead to benefits and savings. However, there are times when traditional sizes become necessary.

What size should I use to build a residential building?

Today, foam block sizes for building a house such as 600 x 300 x 200 mm have become more popular and in demand. And the mass of one is 25 kg. Such indicators give it quality thermal insulation properties, which are very important when building houses.

The dimensions of foam blocks for building a house are calculated in advance. This allows you to clearly determine required amount and optimize the consumption of material used.

How much are?

So, foam blocks. Sizes and prices are two interdependent components: the thicker and larger it is, the more expensive it is.

Today, manufacturers offer a wide range of products, which makes them accessible to all segments of the population. So, you can choose the price that suits you. In this case, it is worth considering only the type of wall and types of foam blocks, the sizes of which will be required. For external walls, the most advantageous and convenient are 600 x 300 x 200 mm. If it is necessary to reduce noise insulation, then the length increases by 100 mm.

The sizes of foam blocks for partitions are slightly averaged, and you need to check them for your application. The professionalism of the specialists who will perform the work also plays a special role in their use. Since they determine the thickness of the layer of fastening material.

For standard sizes there is a fixed price:

For walls, basically, it is equal to 2200 rubles per cubic meter. m. From here it turns out that for one piece you will need to pay about 80 rubles.
For partitions - a little more expensive, 2300 rubles per 1 cubic meter. m.

How to calculate the required quantity

When determining and calculating the quantity, it is worth considering the main point: increasing the calculation of the value for corrections, since in some cases it is necessary to adjust and slightly adjust the dimensions of the building material. This is all caused by the peculiarities of the construction. There will also be a percentage of damaged foam block. This figure will average up to 5%. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a quantity of foam block with a reserve. About 10% more.

To do this, perform the following calculations:

Determine how many are needed in one row of blocks. To do this, the perimeter of the house is divided by the length of the block.
Then it is calculated how many rows the block will have. The height of the planned building is divided by the height or width of the blocks.
The first and second values are multiplied by each other.

Types of foam blocks, the dimensions of which are known in advance, make it possible to calculate them. Just a few simple steps - and you get exact figure, which determines the amount of building material needed and which one is best to use in this case.

How to deliver foam blocks?

It is impossible to transport foam blocks with your car. Therefore, a special one is used on which they are loaded, packed on pallets. These devices can continue to be used and must be returned to outlet. Otherwise, you will have to pay a certain amount for them.

Using foam blocks is the most profitable and expedient. In terms of its quality and price, it is perfect for any construction. It will not be difficult to purchase them, since every city has a large number of companies that are involved in this issue.

Foam block belongs to the category wall materials, used in the construction of houses. It is part of the group of cellular concrete, the main requirements for which are set out in GOST 25485-89 and 21520-89.

Foam concrete composition

The binders used in the production of the material are Portland cement, quicklime, granulated blast furnace slag and highly basic ash. To improve the strength characteristics of the foam concrete block, additional components containing silica are added - quartz sand, ore enrichment products. In order to give the material a porous structure, foaming substances are added:

bone and/or flesh glue;
pine rosin;
caustic soda (technical);
scrubber paste;
other substances with similar properties.

In addition, additives are added to the initial mixture, which accelerate hardening and regulate the structure, giving the material the required plastic properties. These include gypsum and gypsum anhydrite stone, soda ash(technical), potassium carbonate and other substances.

Production of foam concrete blocks

Several technologies can be used in production. They differ in the way the mixture is formed and air cells are formed. Construction materials factories most often use the following technologies:

classical. It involves the separate production of foam and its addition to the feedstock. In this case, water is added to concrete and cement, after which all components are thoroughly mixed. Foam is produced in a special generator. When introduced into concrete-sand mixture it is possible to regulate the volume of introduced air mass and produce a foam block with the necessary characteristics;
dry mixing. This technology for manufacturing foam concrete blocks uses mineralization processes. A dry mixture of sand and cement is fed into special device, where foam is constantly supplied from the generator. The technology allows us to obtain a more durable material. This is due to the absence of excess water and the uniform properties of the mixture throughout the entire volume. Foam concrete blocks using dry technology can only be produced in production conditions, as they require special equipment for the continuous supply of raw materials;
barotechnological (cavitation). Water with foaming agents is supplied to the tank, and then quartz sand and cement are added. Mixing is carried out under pressure, and the process of cavitation (the formation and collapse of bubbles) is orderly. This leads to the fact that the air cells are approximately the same size and are evenly distributed throughout the entire volume of the foam concrete block. The mixture is easy to form, and the resulting material has good strength properties.

Methods for producing foam blocks

The final building material is formed using one of two technologies. Specific method is selected to ensure the required productivity of the enterprise.

Molding technology. It involves filling the foam concrete mixture into special molds of certain sizes. These cassettes are made of metal and can be disassembled. The form for the mixture consists of a tray, folding sides, partitions and locks. Pouring is carried out without vibration, the mixture is leveled with a metal ruler. The filled form is kept for up to two days until the foam concrete blocks harden. Then the formwork is removed in the following sequence:

locks are knocked out;
the sides recline;
the dividing partitions are removed;
the finished blocks are removed and stored on a pallet.

Cutting technology. In such production process Pouring into molds with easily removable formwork is provided. There are no cells for individual blocks. After pouring, the mixture is aged for 6-9 hours. During this time, the foam concrete hardens and gains the necessary strength. Then the formwork is removed, and the solid mass is moved by a traverse to the cutting equipment. The machines can be configured to various sizes. This makes it possible to obtain foam concrete blocks of any size with an accuracy of ±1 mm. Cutting is carried out with special twisted strings. Ready blocks, located on the pallet, are transferred by a traverse to the drying place. After they have gained strength in 12-24 hours, they are transferred to the warehouse.

Cutting technology is characterized by greater manufacturing accuracy than injection technology. The foam block obtained in this way has:

clear geometric dimensions;
straight edges;
high quality surfaces.

Blocks obtained using cutting technology can be laid not on a solution, but on glue, which makes it possible to increase overall quality construction work.

Types of foam concrete

Manufacturers offer three main categories of material. Each of them has its own scope of application depending on the brand. The number in the marking indicates the density of the material in kilograms per cubic meter(kg/m3). The larger it is, the higher the strength of the product and the worse its thermal insulation properties. All brands of foam concrete are distributed as follows:

thermal insulation materials . These include blocks of brands D300 - D500. Such products are intended for thermal insulation of walls. The thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.09-0.12 W/(m C) (for wood 0.11-0.19 W/(m C)
structural and thermal insulation materials. They are represented by blocks of brands D500 - D900. The main scope of application is the construction of load-bearing walls and partitions. Thermal conductivity is slightly higher and amounts to 0.15-0.29 W/(m C)
construction materials . These are brands D1000 - D1200. Designed for the construction of foundations, plinths, and other elements operating under significant load. Thermal conductivity - 0.29-0.38 W/(m·S.) This is higher than that of blocks of the previous category, but lower than that of ceramic bricks.

All brands of foam concrete are resistant to low temperatures. The material can withstand 15-75 freeze-thaw cycles.

Foam block sizes

It is also possible to produce blocks with other sizes, according to customer requirements.

Advantages of foam blocks

Durability. The service life declared by the manufacturers is at least 25 years. The material is resistant to atmospheric factors and is not affected by fungus, mold, or pests.

Good thermal insulation. The thermal conductivity coefficient of even the densest brands is less than the same indicator for brickwork. Therefore, walls made of foam concrete require less insulation than standard materials.

Easy processing. Foam concrete is easy to cut and drill, it is easy to screw a screw into it or hammer a nail into it. This makes it much easier to carry out finishing works.

High laying speed. Thanks to large sizes of a separate block and its relatively low weight, work is carried out quickly. Smooth surface finished wall does not require careful preparation before final finishing.

Low hygroscopicity. The foam block almost does not absorb moisture, so the walls do not accumulate dampness, and a comfortable microclimate is maintained in the building.

Easy transportation. It is ensured by the low weight of the material, making transportation inexpensive. For delivery to construction site no heavy equipment required.